Lotus Exige Sport 380 revealed with 375bhp
New lighter and more powerful 380 version of Lotus Exige sports car revealed, and it'll sprint from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds
Lotus has revealed the new Exige Sport 380, which it says is the most aggressive version yet. It's based on the Sport 350, which came out last year, but it's more powerful, lower, lighter and more aerodynamic than that car.
It weighs from 1,066kg (with Lotus' lightweight options) and has 375bhp and 410Nm of torque from a supercharged 3.5-litre V6, meaning it has a power-to-weight ratio of around 353bhp per tonne. That means it will go from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 178mph. It costs from £67,900 as a roadster, although a coupe version is available too.
Use of carbon fibre on the front splitter, front access panel, rear wing and rear diffuser surround save weight over the Sport 350, with a new rear window and wheels saving even more. A lithium-ion battery and grooved brake discs keep the weight down, as well as some carbon race seats.
A larger 48-litre petrol tank means there's now a longer range, while an automatic gearbox is also available as an option from spring 2017.
Revised panels and wings, as well as work on the front and rear bumpers, improve airflow over the car to make it better to drive on track. It produces 140kg of downforce at top speed, which is 60 per cent more than the Sport 350.
It's marked out by some new paint colours for the bodywork and accents around the car, seen in red in these pictures. The seats are finished with Alcantara, leather or tartan cloth.
Look out for our first drive review of the Lotus Exige Sport 380 soon!
